BAXTER SPRINGS, KS.--- Clara Wasson and Pam Conrad enjoy spending their days volunteering at the Baxter Springs Route 66 Visitors Center. They also enjoy reminiscing about their younger years at Baxter High School.
"Many, many happy memories there. Lots of good teachers, lots of good friends," states Pam Conrad, Baxter High School Alumni.
"The high school means a lot to us," states Clara Wasson, Baxter High School Alumni.
Both are thrilled to lean their old school will have new life after kids no longer fill its hallways. It currently houses 6th through 8th graders, but with a new middle school in the works, it only has a year left in its education career.
"Well I think it's great. I think it should be standing there," states Conrad.
The Baxter Springs School Board sold the structure to Olathe Based Prairie Fire Development firm for $100,000. It will be transformed into a senior living complex.
"This will be a tremendous asset to the community, again we're able to preserve a building that's historic in nature as well as looking to the future, providing affordable senior housing for our residents," states Dennis Burke, Baxter Springs School Superintendent.
"We need senior housing so desperately. Being a senior now, I have my own home but there's many people that don't so I just think its an awesome opportunity," states Clara Wasson.
After remodeling, the building will have about 20, 1 and 2 bedroom units.
"Initially we were scared to death that we couldn't find a buyer for that middle school would become kind of an eye sore," states Burke.
The firm isn't only helping preserve the 1918 building, but it's also donating $40,000 to the school's scholarship fund.
"We can really make that money go to work to help kids afford college so we're excited about that," states Burke.
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